ga of the Heath slayings (existing in
fragment).]

"At all times I hear this," said Bardi, "nor know I if that will be
avenged, but none the less I will that thou let Audun be at peace, for
he is a quiet man."

Grettir did so at Bardi's bidding, nathless, little did it please him.
Bardi asked for what cause they strove.

Grettir sang--

"Prithee, Audun, who can tell,
But that now thy throat shall swell;
That from rough hands thou shalt gain
By our strife a certain pain.
E'en such wrong as I have done,
I of yore from Audun won,
When the young, fell-creeping lad
At his hands a choking had."

Bardi said that certes it was a matter to be borne with, if he had had
to avenge himself.

"Now I will settle matters between you," quoth Bardi; "I will that ye
part, leaving things as they are, that thereby there may be an end of
all between you."

This they let hold good, but Grettir took ill liking to Bardi and his
brothers.

Now they all rode off, and when they were somewhat on their way,
Grettir spake--

"I have heard that thou hast will to go to Burgfirth this summer, and
I now offer to go south with thee; and methinks that herein I do for
thee more than thou art worthy of."

Hereat was Bardi glad, and speedily said yea thereto, and bade him
have thanks for this; and thereupon they parted. But a little after
Bardi came back and said--

"I will have it known that thou goest not unless my foster-father
Thorarin will have it so, for he shall have all the rule of the
faring."

"Well mightest thou, methinks, have full freedom as to thine own
redes," said Grettir, "and my faring I will not have laid under the
choice of other folk; and I shall mislike it if thou easiest me aside
from thy fellowship."

Now either went their way, and Bardi said he should let Grettir know
for sure if Thorarin would that he should fare with him, but that
otherwise he might sit quiet at home. Grettir rode home to Biarg, but
Bardi to his own house.

CHAP. XXIX.

<i>Of the Horse-fight at Longfit</i>.

That summer was settled to be a great horse-fight at Longfit, below
Reeks. Thither came many men. Atli of Biarg had a good horse, a
black-maned roan of Keingala's kin, and father and son had great love
for that horse. The brothers, Kormak and Thorgils of Meal, had a brown
horse, trusty in fight. These were to fight their horse against Atli
of Biarg. And many other good horses were there.

Odd, the Foundling-s